Tell New York Governor Hochul: No Mask Bans
Today, Wednesday 3/26 is a New York Wide Call in Day to Oppose Mask Bans
New York State Residents. Join groups from across the state in calling your legislators today Wednesday, March 26th, to say no to any mask restrictions in the New York State Budget!
After nearly two months of silence on the topic of mask bans, Governor Hochul surprised legislative leaders and the public last week by naming a mask ban as one of her top priorities in the State Budget! The time to push back is now.
How: On Wednesday, 3/26, make calls on your own using the script below or the materials from COVID Advocacy NY.
Call Governor Hochul at: 518-474-8390 (press 1 to leave a message, press 2 to speak to a person)
Email Governor Hochul: https://governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form
Then, call your own legislators in their Albany offices, then Senate Leader Stewart Cousins, Assembly Speaker Heastie, and then the Governor.
SAMPLE SCRIPTS:
For NY State Legislators:
My name is ______. I live in your district in ______ (if you live in their district). I’m calling to urge the Senator/Assemblymember to reject any anti-mask legislation in the State Budget and not to support any bills that would ban masks or criminalize masking.
(Check the bill links above to see if your legislator is a co-sponsor. If your NY legislator is a co-sponsor, urge them to remove themselves as co-sponsor.)
Explain in a sentence or two why you are against anti-mask legislation.
Examples:
Mask bans and anti-mask legislation endanger my health and the health of all New Yorkers.
I have Long COVID and wear a mask to prevent reinfection and getting worse.
I wear a mask to help me stay safe and help protect my partner/child/loved one.
Anyone can get COVID and become disabled by Long COVID. I need to protect my health.
Can you tell me where they stand on including anti-mask legislation in the budget?
(After your call: Let us know how your calls go with your legislator and their response.)
For Governor:
My name is _____ and I live in New York. I’m calling to urge the Governor not to include any anti-mask legislation in the State Budget. I also urge her to oppose any bill that would ban masks or criminalize masking.
Explain in a sentence or two why you are against anti-mask legislation.
Examples:
Mask bans and anti-mask legislation endanger my health and the health of all New Yorkers.
I have Long COVID and wear a mask to prevent reinfection and getting worse.
I wear a mask to help me stay safe and help protect my partner/child/loved one.
Anyone can get COVID and become disabled by Long COVID. I need to protect my health.
For other NY elected officials:
My name is ______. I live in your district in ______ (if you live in their district). I’m calling to urge your office to speak out publicly against mask bans.
Explain in a sentence or two why you are against a mask ban.
Examples:
Mask bans and anti-mask legislation endanger my health and the health of all New Yorkers.
I have Long COVID and wear a mask to prevent reinfection and getting worse.
I wear a mask to help me stay safe and help protect my partner/child/loved one.
Anyone can get COVID and become disabled by Long COVID. I need to protect my health.
For those not in New York State:
Please contact the NY’s Tourism Board and let them know you won’t be traveling to NY State or are canceling your travel plans to NY State due to the proposed mask ban.
Email: info@iloveny.com
Twitter: @I_LOVE_NY
More info: https://www.iloveny.com/
Here's sample social media text: Join dozens of orgs across NY to say #nonymaskban Tell your State Senator, Assemblymember and leaders Wed 3/26 no mask restrictions in budget or at all! script from jews for mask rights here: bit.ly/no-mask-ban
phonebank w @jewishaction: https://www.bendthearc.us/nomaskbanphonezap phonebank w @NYCLU: https://nyclu-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/z8HGgtKpRDGJq8LrsneZsQ#/registration